One Year in Paris

EN: I can't believe it has been a year since I moved to Paris.. 365 days in this gorgeous city I fell in love with, time flies way too fast! I remember the day I left London with countless questions, excited and scared at the same time.... big challenge was waiting for me. All I knew then and there was, that I will give it everything....start from a scrap, learn a new language, find a job, make new friends, begin a new life. It wasn't easy, let me tell you, but after one whole year in Paris, I am now sitting in my apartment, writing these few words and asking myself, "Would I do it again?" and the answer is simply "Hell yeah!!!"

EN: Ok, so now I live in Paris, but What exactly is around me? What is an arrondissement? Where can I buy my groceries? How can I get that cool bicycle (Velib haha) everyone seems to be riding around town? I bought a map of Paris and decided to walk, all day long, wandering around finding my way around Paris and of course I took my camera with me, that's how I started this blog.

EN: One of the hardest tasks and one of the most important ones, understandably. Simply said, french language is difficult! The pronunciation, the grammar, written words don't look anything like the spoken ones! It took me six months of an intensive learning to be able to start communicating with more confidence and to be able to say to all my french friends, that I am no longer willing to practice their English, now it's time to practice my French! I listen to either Michel Thomas audio songs or Pimsleur, that is how I learn French. Surely, it's not for everyone, but it works perfectly for me. On the train to work, during my weekend wanderings, at home while cooking... I listen to French, I speak it out loud, I repeat, I watch TV, listen to radio.... you don't want to see me on friday evening... tired is an understatement, but I know I must do it, so I do. Oh and a French boyfriend is also a great way how to learn French very fast, that is Only if he doesn't want to practice his English with you, of course! ;)

If you are interested to know about the French audio songs, drop me an email, I am happy to help as I understand how difficult it is to start learning a new language.

EN: Another hard one especially if you don't speak French. To find a job in Paris takes time and many things depend on your circumstances; Can your family financially support you? (Paris is a very expensive city), Have you got some savings to help you to go through the first months? Do you speak English? Languages, that was my ticket out of the sensitive unemployment situation. English language is still on demand in Paris so it didn't take me long to find a job in teaching. I know, it's far from my PR carrier (currently working on that one), but it allows me to breath easier, to learn french, to meet people, to enjoy Paris and of course to pay the bills.

EN: Little did I know, that by creating this blog, opportunities to meet other creative people will be on my fingertips. Instagram is a great source of inspiration but also a platform through which you can approach other people with whom you have something in common; love of photography, traveling, favourite city or you love coffee and enjoy photographing it. I was very lucky to meet few wonderful people with whom I like to spend my free time, all thanks to Instagram and my blog. My advice is, put yourself out there, let people know about you, don't be afraid to take the initiative and I'm certain you'll soon make a circle of friends thanks to whom the life will be a little more beautiful.

EN: While trying to live a "new" life in a new city and meeting new people, it happened that I forgot to reply to an e-mail or a missed call from a friend or family. I realised, that I must put more effort to remain in close touch with them. Happiest day last year was definitely the one when my mum came to Paris and a few months later my sister. I managed to go to London to visit my best friend and she came twice to Paris. And of course, I couldn't survive without at least one visit to my beloved Slovakia to see my friends and their growing families! I hope this year, we'll see each other at least as often as the last one.